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Postdoctoral Researcher - Neurosciences

Employer
University of California San Diego
Location
La Jolla, California
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Mar 15, 2021

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Job Details

Postdoctoral Researcher - Neurosciences

Description
A position is open for a postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in neuroscience to join the research laboratories of Drs. Jong Rho and Matthew Shtrahman in the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Applicants should hold (or soon receive) a Ph.D. in neuroscience or a related discipline. The research project will study the role of metabolic and mitochondrial mechanisms in the pathogenesis of and therapeutic strategies for epilepsy. The position is available March 1, 2021, and is located at UCSD in La Jolla, California and has two years of funding available.

Research Description

Major goals and objectives: to study how alterations in cellular metabolism and bioenergetics mediate cell death and hippocampal circuit dysfunction in epilepsy; investigate the mechanisms through which the ketogenic diet (and related metabolic substrates/enzymes) affords neuroprotection and seizure reduction in rodent models of epilepsy; identify therapeutic targets within metabolic and cellular signaling pathways for attenuating or reversing epileptogenesis.

 

Research Activity

• Work with genetically engineered mice

• Immunohistochemistry and microscopy studies of protein expression and localization

• Rodent chronic video-EEG recordings

• Acute and chronic brain slice preparations and electrophysiology

• Chemo- and optogenetic manipulation of function in neuronal subtypes in vivo and ex vivo

In vivo two-photon calcium imaging of hippocampal neuron activity

• Metabolic assays involving flux analysis (respiration), and opportunity for training in metabolomics

• Prepare and write manuscripts for publication


Requirements
Applicants should hold (or soon receive) a Ph.D. in Neuroscience or a related discipline. Experience with brain slice or in vivo circuit physiology (electrophysiology, calcium imaging, or chemo/optogenetics) experiments are preferred, but not required. Successful applicants should be highly self-motivated, have outstanding experimental skills, and be able to think independently but also work well in a collaborative team environment.  At least one first-authored publication from previous research work is required to be eligible.

Document Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

• 2-to-4 references (contact information only)

• First author publication

About

Dr. Rho is a tenured Professor in the Departments of Neurosciences and Pediatrics at UC San Diego and is the Division Chief of Neurology at the Rady Children’s Hospital. As a laboratory investigator, he has studied the mechanisms of the ketogenic diet (KD) – a proven treatment for medically intractable epilepsy – for nearly two decades. His research has focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for the clinical effects of the KD. The principal animal model of epilepsy in his laboratory has been the Kcna1-null mouse, which develops spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) early in postnatal development and which recapitulates the seminal features of human temporal lobe epilepsy.

Dr. Shtrahman is a board-certified neurologist with graduate training in physics and Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosciences at UCSD. Dr. Shtrahman’s lab develops and utilizes optical techniques to probe the function of hippocampal and neocortical circuits within the brain. His research focuses on how developing neurons in the adult dentate gyrus encode memories in the brain and become altered in epilepsy and other diseases of the nervous system.

Through its location and its distinguished reputation, UCSD serves as the conduit for scientific dialogue throughout the region and has formed key partnerships with the Salk Institute, the Scripps Research Institute and the Sanford/Burnham Institute.

With approximately 140 faculty members, UCSD’s Department of Neurosciences is among the nation's largest and is among the nation’s leaders in NIH funding.  The program's labs, medical centers and clinics are located in the heart of the San Diego life sciences district. The Department offers a rich training environment with is its unique blend of clinical neurologists and basic scientists. They collaborate in the diagnosis, management, and research of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, Huntington's disease, Down syndrome, stroke, epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, metabolic disorders, and neuro-developmental disorders, including autism.

Publications available at:

Dr. Jong Rho https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=rho+jm&sort=date

Dr. Matt Shtrahman https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/1PA7JdHfDHO5b/bibliography/45584990/public/

To apply, please go to the following link https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF02639.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Company

Dr. Tony L. Yaksh: Purdue University (PhD 1971), U.S. Army (1971-73), University of Wisconsin (1973-76), University College London (1976-77), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (1977-1988).  He is Professor in Anesthesiology at UC San Diego (1988-present).  His studies (> 800 papers) provide a basis for understanding the pharmacology of pain processing.   He has >46,000 citations in >26,000 papers. He has mentored over 100 postdoctoral trainees and has been funded consistently by NIH since 1977.  He has received many awards including from the American Pain Society, the International Association for the Study of Pain and the Swedish Society of Medicine. He has twice received the Javitz award. My laboratory at Mayo Clinic (1976 to 1988) and at the University of California San Diego (1989 - present) has been continuously involved in NIH-supported research on the mechanisms of pain and analgesia. A continuing thread of this ongoing work has first been the role of lipid mediators in pain processing and more specifically the contribution of innate immunity in spinal systems. A continuing thread of this ongoing work (>20 papers) has been the contribution of inflammatory cascades and innate immunity in these spinal systems. Our group, in an extensive collaboration with Dr. Maripat Corr at UCSD demonstrated that KO of TLR4 signaling and spinal TLR4 blockers prevented the transition from an acute inflammation to a chronic neuropathic like pain state and the differential role of sex in this cascade. Our recent work looking at cell specific KO of an important link in this signaling cascade emphasize the importance of this cascade in the development of a chronic pain state. I look forward to working with Dr. Corr in pursuing the work outlined in this proposal. We have an established track record of productive collaboration and co-mentoring students and fellows.

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